Short Ride
All the right villages but not necessarily in the right order!
To be fair this didn’t start well, I’d forgotten to send the route details until last night and, foolishly, hadn’t allowed time to recce the chosen route (number 58) – still with Garmin fully charged and only 22 miles to cycle, what could possibly go wrong?
After Colin’s announcements the Short ride group assembled by the lamppost and a fine looking group it was too, Joe, Robin, Rachel & Gordon awaiting news of today’s “Magical Mystery Tour”, securing their support for route 58 was easy and we set off at a good pace to Hookstone Road, Forest Moor Road, Calcutt before regrouping at Low Bridge. Abbey Road afforded us lovely views and a serenity which, whilst enjoyable at the time, didn’t last…
As we headed up Halfpenny Lane, now well on the way out of Knaresborough, I realised that my dear friend Mr Garmin didn’t seem to know where either he, or I was! I pulled in and consulted the team. Yes, they knew where we were, yes, I had gone wrong but no, it’s no problem let’s change routes. So Plan B for the A team, Joe suggested heading up to Farnham and then doing the route clockwise rather than the original anti-clockwise one. This is met with 100% agreement and, all forgiven, I led the group to Farnham, pausing for breath and water at the top of Farnham Hill. With the group’s far superior knowledge of the area, a route was plotted to take in the picturesque villages of Ferrensby, Arkendale, Coneythorpe & Flaxby. This is a lovely ride, along quiet country lanes and scenic vistas at every turn, just splendid! Even the 300 yards on the A59 failed to knock our spirits as we turned off the busy road and headed into Goldsborough before reconnecting with Abbey Road, now a lot busier than earlier, to take up our lunch booking at the Ugly Duckling café.
Sitting in the sun enjoying brunch and a superb Knaresborough Scallywag ( it’s a biscuit) we passed a lovely half hour discussed the ways of the world before cycling up Knaresborough road and parting company at the Golf Club.
I had 35 km cycling and 290 metres climbing by the time I got home. Thanks again to the A team, you were a joy, I promise to be better prepared should there be a next time! HK
Medium Steady Ride
Eight riders set off from the showground for what was agreed would be ride No 20. It wasn’t too long before the ride wandered off the designated route with the Wetherby railway track abandoned and Kirk Deighton chosen instead. Now the differences in opinion kicked in. “We should be heading to Cattal up the old A1”. So, we did! “Let’s have coffee at Boroughbridge”, so, we did! Prior to that, at Great Ouseburn, we heard a shout of “It’s right here” and “no, the route says straight on”. Then route 20 was binned and we went through Marton cum Grafton and into B’bridge
Mark left us at B’bridge to get home early. The rest of us made it to The Hideaway for drinks and food, where we were joined by the Wanderers group. Nice to see you! After suitable refreshments the “cafe legs” took us back to Knaresborough, where Derek peeled off for home. Lesley peeled of down Waterside and the remaining 5 continued to the top of the hill, where we starburst.
Another good ride in hot weather, even if it was made up as we went. Mike, Lesley, Mark, Gordon, Will, Tony, Derek and myself (not to blame!). Richard.
Medium Ride ‘Summerbridge Saunter’
Assigned to the Medium ride I thought I might be ‘Liz No Mates’ with strong rides listed plus the Away Day. Corinne was meeting me at Bilton Cross there with Nev the Nav Kamoot would keep me on the right route! As the cyclists gathered my fan club arrived Nikki, Bridget, Margaret, Debbie, Liz P and our token man David who was not put off by us gals and our racy talk! Mike told us that Liz A would meet at Ripley, so a trio of ‘Liz’s’. Off we cycled dodging cars, dogs, prams they were all out, through the Stray down the Greenway and picked up my second in command Corinne. Greenway covered with drooping trees and flowing fields of corn plus a stoat ran in front of us, beautiful. At Ripley Liz 3 was there but unfortunately her battery was not fully charged after just been to cycle service. Therefore with all the hills involved she had to return to get it checked out and would try to meet up at Darley PO. Through Hollybank Woods up to Clint, down to Birstwith then our first climb Stripe Lane. On to Brimham down to Wilsill views panoramic and stunning. Through Summerbridge then climb up Dacre Bank at the top we regrouped. Corinne had nearly run a baby bunnie over but it raced back so no tears. Onwards turning left cycling along another lovely lane to Thornthwaite and on to Darley PO. The ladies at the cafe were very busy but cheerfully dealt with everyone and soon delicious food and drink were served to us all. Liz 3 joined us for a coffee as she lives in Darley. Several cheese jokes and good banter, best one was about getting a bear down from a tree and Bridget with a babybel made up joke! A thank you to those ladies who were working hard to feed not only us cyclists but several customers at the same time. Our return journey we set off for Birstwith then another climb Clint Bank, Hollybank Woods, Ripley and Greenway. At Bilton Cross Corinne went left I went right and the others straight on to Harrogate. Thank you all for an entertaining day, loved the jokes and chat, great cycle route my Summerbridge Saunter. 34 miles. Liz F
Wednesday Wanderer’s Ride
Perfect weather conditions for a group of 8 to meander up to Kirby Overblow, with the views over to the West of Yorkshire and the Chevin hills then down to Wetherby before threading our way to the other side of Harrogate towards the Vale of York. A couple of the riders nearly took a train at Cattal but then decided they would miss our great company and caught us up in Whixley. We continued through the pretty Ouseburn and Dunsforth villages before a welcome lunch stop at Hideaway in Boroughbridge, where we found another group of Wheeleasy riders, not sure which ride or route they were on, but they knew where they were going, I think? Back home via Bishop Monkton, with a quick pause at the famous “tree, bench, lay-by and view of the White Horse”…..well famous in my mind, made a couple of cyclists chuckle. Through Knaresborough, up that lovely final hill with final farewells said at the Cricket club bus stop. Thank you, Colin, Chris & Chris, Mike and Mike, Peter and Rob for your company, a great day out. 48 miles for me door to door and 2,120 ft climbing. Diane
Away Day Ride
Route 1005: Kirkby Stephen, Appleby, Orton
The singing of “Roll ’em, roll ’em, roll ’em” (ref Rawhide), convinced me we were in for a great day and, in the main, we were. Such was the weather, very soon many of us were removing various articles of clothing as we launched ourselves up the first of many hills each of which offered fabulous views and frequent stops and photo opportunities. The group naturally split into two with the gap between growing ever larger because of the technical challenges detailed below. The seriously quirky Tufton Mews Café, Appleby, was our early coffee stop where group one waited for group two to join us but alas as you can read below, that was not to be. We kept in regular contact with group two and jointly made the decision to press on in the hope they would join us for lunch at Orton Scar Café. The ride from Appleby to Orton is mostly uphill with an an almost 8.5 mile climb starting at Morland ever rising onto beautiful moorland with fabulous degree views over the Eastern lakes and North Pennines; challenging but, as everyone agreed, well worth it. Lunch at Orton Scar Café was OK and the staff were very pleasant and efficient, although a big loss was not seeing the resident red squirrel. The remainder of the ride took us through lovely villages and, of course, up even more hills, down a dale or two along many narrow lanes and over a ford. The final downhill into Kirkby Stephen was welcomed and enjoyed by all, and the general consensus was that we’d had a glorious ride in great weather and even better company. Big thanks to Doug who did a fabulous job back marking, and then leading group two. 43.1 miles and 4271 ft elevation for me, John C.
The Kindness of Strangers
The second group became detached when James’ bike developed a mechanical about 3 miles from Appleby. Specifically, as we somewhat later discovered, a badly fitted inner (at the bike shop) which had been nipped and was just waiting for the moment to deflate. Initially a group of three, after Yvonne sped ahead to inform the others, but then became 4 when Mike C kindly came back, being in possession of a spanner (and a vast wealth of knowledge and experience). After much effort in trying to get the rear wheel off (complicated things these electric bikes) a passing cyclist managed to disengage the gear cables to finally free the wheel. Much effort was then spent removing and refitting the tyre (Schwalbe, of course). The 4 finally arrived in Appleby well after the others had left, for a much welcomed coffee stop. Unfortunately the pesky gear cables had not been refitted correctly (stuck in low gear) and a few miles further on the group stopped for another attempt at repair. At this point a local cyclist, Ivan (2 miles from home), stopped to offer help, and practically insisted that he return with his car and ferry James and his bike back to Kirkby S. This he duly did, and James reportedly got home safely. Perhaps we can award Ivan honorary membership? Meanwhile, the remaining 3 pushed on and with a bit of luck and a 4 mile shortcut made it to Orton Scar before the cafe closed, and then back to Kirkby Stephen. A different day than expected but nonetheless enjoyable despite, or perhaps because of, unexpected events. Doug H.
Medium Plus Brisk Away Day
Route 1015 – Reeth & Tan Hill – another fabulous ride from the excellent Away Day library. A warm day starting from the main green; high clouds, a generally sunny outlook and (importantly) little to no wind as we headed east along the valley towards Muker & then Thwaite. We stopped for tea & tiffin there partly because the road was blocked by sheep being herded along the road. And then about 8 miles of uphill road with little traffic and ever widening views & only more sheep for company. A swoop down to Nateby & lunch in Kirkby Stephen in a deli/café with excellent staff. Then north east to Oxenthwaite & for a long section of heavily undulating climbing to take us finally to the Tan Hill pub (which always seems to be busy). From there it was mainly downhill to Reeth. 45 miles & over 4,500 ft of climb. Young Tim
EG’s Ride
Following the recent three “heat waves” as announced, the EG’s were anticipating a cooler start to this morning’s ride.
As we assembled at our usual location, members didn’t seem too keen on an ambitious sojourn so further discussion ensued finally settling on a gentle ride in the direction of the Bistro at Thorpe Arch trading estate passing along the cycle track out of Wetherby.
Noting the the absence of usual faces behind the counter ( the service seemed a little more slick), we were still able to order our normal fare albeit one member had to be bailed out as he had managed to come without means of payment, having left his “smart” phone at home.( There’s still something to be said for payment in old fashioned “cash”).
For a change we were able to be seated outside through the conservatory soon to be joined by a large group of cyclists from York.
Relaxing over our refreshments, somehow talk drifted towards ancestral matters, family trees and lineage.
Despite some efforts no one seems to have had any significant hidden relatives in the far distant past. At least it made a change from the usual political banter about current affairs and “woke” matters.
Departing from the bistro we headed for a gentle ride via Wighill and Healaugh before pausing just west of Askham Richard. It was here where the ride split. Three heading towards home, the remaining two aiming to circle around and perhaps catch the others up later. However as they decided to go around to lunch in the Rowntree Park and thereafter return via Rufforth, Tockwith and Great Ouseburn, thus extending their own mileage significantly, (just over 50 miles), chances of any consolidation of the group were thus nil.
As we past through Angram we marvelled at the huge number of cars parked along the road outside the church, causing a little constination for following traffic, and indeed in the field opposite. It was concluded that it must have been the funeral service, or similar, of someone of some significance, import! We never did satisfy our curiosity.
Jim parted company at Tockwith crossroads to head up to Boroughbridge, the remaining two continuing at a steady pace towards home arriving somewhat early at 1.45 pm, completing approximately 34 miles.
The weather had stayed pleasant with a light northerly breeze having little effect on progress when eventually turning into the wind. DW
